International media ignores trouble in Sderot, Israel’s New York Consulate launches blog illustrating situation in Negev town due to Qassam rocket attacks

Ynetnews|Last update: 05.20.07 , 21:58

The international media has hardly covered the Qassam rocket attacks on the southern town of Sderot, according to recent reports in the Israeli media.

Many diplomats found that it was not easy sending Israeli spokesmen to relate the problem, as the foreign press has not shown much interest in the suffering of Sderot’s residents.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Dan Gillerman said that the American press dedicated more time to tabloid stories than it did on Middle East affairs.

In addition, he said it was hard to put the issue of terror on the agenda because the American public was just not interested in the Middle East.

“Nearly everyday American soldiers are killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, so it’s very hard to bring up other issues,” Gillerman explained.

In an effort to get the word out, Israel’s New York Consulate recently launched a blog presenting
all aspects of the situation in Sderot. Consul for Media and Public Affairs, David Saranga, was behind the initiative.

“The basis for the initiative is the will to bypass conventional media, and to reach the world’s citizens directly on their computer screens. We believe that this way, our message can even reach the decision makers in the United States,” Saranga said.

The blog features English-language videos of the southern town during Qassam attacks, comments by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and a TV interview with Arye Mekel, consul general in New York.

All of the videos included on the blog can also be seen on youtube.com.

“New media puts many technological means at our disposal that allow us to bring the message of Sderot directly to the public, even if television networks are not covering the happenings in Sderot,” Mekel said.